The Wrap: Hearing at Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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The Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Settlement Act, or S.1987, had its first hearing today during the Committee of Indian Affairs meeting after the bill was first introduced earlier in June. The bill allocates $1.3 billion to the Fort Belknap Indian Community to improve irrigation infrastructure as well as improve the community’s economic development.
The bill, cosponsored by the bipartisan Montana senators, Steve Daines and Jon Tester, will also address the agricultural aspects of the Fort Belknap water compact by including Native and non-Native stakeholders.
The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is located in south central Montana and is home to the A’aniiih and Nakoda tribes and, according to the bill sponsors, would be the last tribal water settlement to be resolved in Montana.
“What this bill will provide for my people is hope,” said Fort Belknap Indian Community President Jeffery Stiffarm during opening testimony at the hearing. JoVonne Wagner, ICT
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Canada's ousted National Chief RoseAnne Archibald lost a bid Tuesday to win reinstatement at the Assembly of First Nations, leaving in place an interim chief appointed Monday to replace her until an election can be held in December.
The interim chief, Joanna Bernard, Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, was named Monday by the assembly’s executive committee to become only the second woman to assume the post of national chief for the organization that is the national representative for First Nations in Canada.
Archibald, who became the first woman to head the organization in its 50-plus years, called her ouster a “coup.” She previously served as Ontario regional chief and was elected chief of Taykwa Tagamou Nation in 1990.
“Normally the transition of power between national chiefs is a peaceful one; however, the manner in which Joanna Bernard was appointed by her fellow regional chiefs to the interim position is marred by conflict of interest and a laterally violent political coup against me as the first duly elected female national chief,” Archibald said in a statement released late Monday after Bernard was named. READ MORE — Miles Morrisseau, ICT
Around the world: Indigenous flags will be hoisted at the upcoming Women's World Cup, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon shrinks under Lula's presidency, a mental health expert in Australia works to provide care in Indigenous communities, and a Winnipeg landfill closes amid an ongoing MMIW protest.
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND: Flags fly high for World Cup
In a celebration of unity and cultural diversity, Indigenous flags including the Māori flag and Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags will be flown throughout the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup soccer matches, Te Ao Māori News reported on July 7.
The Women's World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, is set to begin July 20 and run through Aug. 20.
The historic move comes after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, known as FIFA, approved a request to showcase Indigenous flags throughout the tournament, Te Ao Māori News reported.
New Zealand will feature its national flag along wih the Tino Rangatiratanga flag — named for a Māori term that means "self-determination" or "absolute sovereignty" — that holds deep cultural and political significance for the Māori people of New Zealand. READ MORE — Deusdedit Ruhangariyo, Special to ICT
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EAGLE BUTTE, S.D. — What started off as a one time event has now entered its ninth year.
The annual RedCan Graffiti Jam Invitational kicked off July 5, allowing local Lakota youth and featured artists to express themselves under the scorching summer sun through art murals around Eagle Butte.
RedCan is held by the Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP) team, which aims at providing youth with creative outlets and a space that they can call their own. This year, nearly 200 local youths came out to create art and gather as a community.
“I think we help to set the bar for a safe space, especially if you’re from the community,” Jerica Widow, citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and CRYP program director said. “We’re an extended family.” READ MORE — Amelia Schafer, ICT + Rapid City Journal
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The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs unanimously approved Senate Bill 1723: the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies. The legislation, which is cosponsored by 28 U.S. Senators, passed out of committee last month. That comes as the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition continues its work to bring awareness to the cause. ICT’s Shirley Sneve has this interview with organization’s CEO Deborah Parker.
2023 has been a groundbreaking, and exciting, year for sports. From the hockey world to basketball — and even professional cycling, Indigenous athletes have made history. ICT’s McKenzie Allen-Charmley has all of the latest with the co-founder of ndnsports.com Brent Cahwee.
Here at ICT, we are continuing to grow and hire new staff members. We recently hired a deputy managing editor, which is a new position at ICT. Kevin Abourezk is a Rosebud Sioux citizen with over two decades of experience in journalism, covering higher education and Indigenous affairs.
Watch:
Driving a white SUV down Loop 202, Derek Benally is ready to get to work.
He’s part of a team of Navajo Nation police officers who have been in the Phoenix area, searching for Indigenous people impacted by the closure of the fraudulent rehabilitation facilities.
A scheme that targeted Indigenous people because of a loophole in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System’s (AHCCCS) American Indian Health Program allowed individuals to pose as legitimate health care providers for behavioral health services and then allegedly bill the state for services that were never provided.
Benally and his fellow officers work as part of Operation Rainbow Bridge, the Navajo Nation’s outreach effort, a response team working in the Phoenix area to help displaced Navajo people by connecting them with legit service providers or giving them a way to get home. READ MORE — AZ Mirror
What’s trending on social media:
- An Indigenous scholar's research took him to Mexico and a violent death: 'We were committed to dedicating our lives to environmental conservation and environmental research. We felt that Indigenous hands have taken care of these lands for time immemorial'
- Head of Alaska Native corporation leaves position: Gail Schubert will ‘no longer serve in her current role’
- As hurricane uprooted trees, it also unearthed ancient artifacts: Kisatchie National Forest sites were disrupted with the landfall of Hurricane Laura, and subsequent illegal looting activity
- Hollywood actors agree to mediation, but strike may be unavoidable
- Emmys 2023: List of Nominees
- Torn ears and changed lives at the top of the world
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